Knit Wits and Yarn Tales

On My Needles Now and Soon To Be's

2009-05-09T19:28:00.006-04:00

A practice scarf to get a feel for a hand dyed yarn. The yarn is from a ripped, used sweater, wool, that was then hand painted. I found it on Etsy and liked the colours and the price to get a feel for working this type of yarn. This is an easy k1p1 rib scarf, a project that travels well.

I have a couple of projects lying in wait. One is a Miss Priss Play Dress, and the other is a Wallaby sweater, both for Gwen, my nearly 3 year old grand girl. I will of course make a Wallaby for Lillian too, my 4 month old grand girl.

And I want to learn to knit socks.

And feathery lace scarves too.

Time to take it to the next level.

Knitting Lesson

2009-05-09T19:06:00.006-04:00

I found a local yarn store that gives 30 minute knitting lessons, whether one wants to learn the basic stitches or to focus on a particular technique or problem area. Just the thing for me. I will book a half hour to get some help with the shawl I have started knitting and decided to rip. I've not done lace work before and want to get it right. I ended up short 2 stitches at some point... sheesh.

Lillian Asleep

2009-05-09T18:58:00.004-04:00

Our little angel. Here at three and a half months old. She now smiles and giggles and makes wonderful cooing sounds and she reaches to grasp things. I love being her grandma.

Word Clouds

2009-05-05T01:52:00.005-04:00

Interesting webpage called WORDLE.
http://www.wordle.net/

Allows you to type in a series of related or unrelated words and transforms them into a 'word cloud', or world clusters, which appear poster like. You have the choice of font, colour, layout (horizontal, vertical, half vertical/half horizontal, etc.). Or you can select 'randonmize' and a scheme of font, colour and layout appears. Continue to click on 'randomize' until you find a combination that suits you. To enlarge or emphasize some words type them in multiple times. The more times a word is typed the larger it will appear in the word cloud.

Was fun to play with and try out. Now I need to figure out how to transfer my word cloud to my blog. I would like to use it as part of my heading. The only way to locate on blog so far is to copy the code into a suitable gadget where it will appear in the side column. I've added a few examples of my Knitting Word Clouds. The result of clicking to enlarge the word cloud brings one to the Wordle webpage.

Problem with flickr

2009-05-01T11:09:00.006-04:00

I added the flickr box to my blog to display my flickr photos. I notice that my flickr photos do not display properly and clicking on the photos in the box does not zoom them. On my flickr account I can only look at my photos in a 'slideshow' and they do not show as individual photos in a 'photostream'. So, sorry my photos aren't available for you all to see just yet... I am still working on it. I'm a bit flustered with this now so I'll come back to it later. ; ) Maybe having opted to look at my photos in the slideshow mode commits them to the slideshow in perpetuity. Haven't found how to get back to the photostream. Yet. ;) Or maybe I neglected to visit/use my flickr account for too long a period of time and that affected the use of my photos? My content is still there so should be accessible in photostream... later.

Cheers! : )

Later...

2009-04-01T15:22:00.004-04:00

Just passing through to say 'Hi!' and that my blog is still active even though I have not been active blogging lately. Husband and grown son are off to Indonesia for a month plus, leaving early, early Friday morning, Apr 3, and have been getting things done in preparation for their time away. And babysitting, which seems to require a day or two to rest up afterwards unfortunately, anyone else have that problem?, and outdoor work with the arrival of spring... I'll be on board soon and share about my weekly Stitch and Bitch that is just getting off the ground...

Later... :D

KnitWiki - Knitting Website

2009-03-07T17:24:00.004-05:00

Look at what I came across in my seemingly endless search for the 'just right' shawl pattern.

Wikipedia for knitter's! KnitWiki.

Have a peek.
http://www.knitting-and.com/wiki/Main_Page

.

Babysitting: Treasured Time

2009-03-04T10:48:00.006-05:00

Babysitting my two and a half year old grandgirl is always a special pleasure. She is bright and beautiful and so very active, curious and engaged fully in learning all about the world. She has such fresh eyes and such wonder in all things. Such a gift. Time with her is treasured time.

To the right in the photo is my grandma basket used to carry my grandma tools (aka toys ;) that I bring with me when I babysit Gwen.

Where Have I Been?

2009-03-02T20:20:00.006-05:00

Last post was all the way back to Feb. 16. Where have I been?

Been busy. The fun kind of busy. Decluttering and cleaning house. It feels like spring, though the frigid winter air challenges that notion, but the bright, warm sun shining throughout the house makes me want to spring clean. I've accumulated a lot of clutter and I must admit that with having been ill for so long (adrenal fatigue syn.) that some areas of my home have been neglected. Okay, that may be a bit of an understatement, lol, but things are in hand and decluttering and cleaning are happening and it might be spring soon. So I've been 'spring cleaning'.

And babysitting. Love time with my grandgirls.

And trying to get back on track with my exercise program. Doesn't really take a lot to get me off track, but important thing is I'm back now and my doc should be quite happy with that when she sees me tomorrow. My exercise instructor had me make up a collage of images designed to motivate me to keep going back to the gym. Felt like being back in kindergarten with my glue pot and poster board. lol It is motivating so glad I did it.

Also got an electronic pedometor today from my instructor which attaches to my running shoe to record my steps at the gym. My instructor suggested that I set my goal for number of steps per day to 4,000. My workout on the treadmill today tabulated at 3, 960 steps. LOL That would be 'close but no cigar'! I'll be bumping up my number of steps per day goal to 5,000.

And Lenten activities...

My knitting has taken a back seat to these other activities lately and I miss it. I'm having a few ladies , my dd, dil, and a friend, over for a stitch & bitch one evening this week (thus the decluttering ;) and though they are all crochet-ers, I, the lone knitter, it will be great to get back to my needles.

Too Much of Winter

2009-02-16T13:09:00.002-05:00

You know winter has dragged on too long when....

Great Magazine: Cook's Illustrated!

2009-02-09T16:57:00.006-05:00

My copy of 'Cook's Illustrated' magazine arrived in the mail today. Hurray!
http://www.cooksillustrated.com/magazine/

My grown son, Sean, introduced me to the magazine. He loves to cook and to learn about cooking, and gifted me with this magazine at Christmastime. Cook's Illustrated, in addition to offering recipes, provides good information and tips on cooking technique, and 'best methods'. With their 'test kitchen' recipes, often old favorites, are tested and tried until the best version is arrived at, and often improved upon. The magazine also contains equipment reviews, reports on bests, and best buys of cookware, utensils, etc. A beautiful magazine packed full of great information. There is a sister publication 'Cook's Country' which is heavier on recipes, and has a regular TV program on PBS. http://www.cookscountrytv.com/

Now, I'm off to read about vanilla, pure or imitation, (I like pure) and the brands that are recommended. And, 'Keeping Kitchen Staples Fresher Longer'. Fun article! :) Hmm, 'Emergency Chocolate Cake'! Good recipe to have on hand. May post that one up on my fridge!

Bootie Pics ; )

2009-02-05T10:29:00.006-05:00

Booties for Lillian. Used self-striping yarn, Bernat Jacquard - Colourway: Berries and Cream.

Knit booties overlaying my every handy "The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques" by Nancie Wiseman.

Knit up back and forth on a circular needle. Simple, quick and cute.

Day of Collection: A Minor Gripe

2009-02-05T08:07:00.008-05:00

Every few months my Doc has me collect lots of bodily fluids for her to test. I have Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome which makes me feel very tired, achy, and so on, quite a long list of unpleasant things actually. So, I'm doing my 24 hr pee collection today; in addition to saliva collection, 5 tubes, starts with 8am, then 12pm, 4pm, 8pm and the last should be between 10pm - 3am. This last one is to pick up on what imbalance is contributing to my regular waking during the night, one symptom of AFS. It takes about a half hour to collect each tube. The point of these tests is to identify hormonal and other biochemical imbalances, hormonal includes stress hormones, etc. Quite complex. I've been in treatment for about a year now and though progress has been gradual, I am pleased thus far. I'm still not home yet. I remain hopeful. I am grateful to have found my family physician who understands and knows how to treat this syndrome. I thought it just felt this bad to be getting older, lol, and was so glad to learn that there was something making me feel so awful and most importantly something I can do to get better.

Minor gripe: My day is regulated by the requirements of these test... but writing here I see that I feel mostly grateful for the chance they offer to get well again. So, a very minor grip indeed. :)

The tests are done through this company (at a cost - we don't get coverage for them through our provincial medical plan here in Ontario, unfortunately).

http://www.adltests.com/testsavailable.html

The regime of hormones, medications and supplements that I follow, includes lifestyle management, like diet, exercise and emphatically - stress reduction (thus the Tai chi and meditation). In addition to treating the AFS, my Doc refers to this as an 'anti-aging' program. I like that. ; ) The goal is to return our body chemistry to levels similar to that of a 40 year old. (whatever that means :)

I recently found a book on Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome. If you are painfully tired all the time, and have been for a long time, and nothing seems to help, you may want to look into this. If it seems to fit, talk to your Doc. I figure that if I gotta suffer, then I'll take it as I must, but I don't see any virtue in suffering unnecessarily. There is relief from this condition. It is becoming more prevalent in our fast paced, stress laden life lifestyles.

http://www.amazon.com/Adrenal-Fatigue-Century-Stress-Syndrome/dp/1890572152/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product

Wee Booties for Lilly

2009-02-01T20:14:00.010-05:00

Easy Baby Booties by Michelle . Pattern from Ooo Baby Knits .

(I'll photograph and post the other pair of booties in a day or so. )

Back and sole seams still need to be done. Cute. :)

Colour is bright and cheerful to work with. My decreases are not right. Pattern calls for K13, K2tog, K3, then SSK, K to end of row. Purlwise: P12, P2tog, P3, P2tog, P to end of row, and so on. I think both sides are supposed to look the same, but do not. Also, I miscounted my stitches in one or two rows and so the line of decreases on the right is staggered. The 2nd bootie was better, but the decreases - not so much.

Worked back and forth on my circular needles. These are Addi's and work very smoothly. The yarn has a tendency to slide off the needle at times. I think a bamboo needle would have a bit more traction and hold the yarn a bit better.

Yarn is Bernat Baby Jacquards (Acrylic)
Colourway: Berries and Cream
Needles: # 8 and #6 (US)
Worsted weight.
This yarn knits up very nicely. Does not split and snag. Should wear well.

Free pattern available here:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/ooo-baby-knit

Flickr Badge Frustration

2009-02-01T19:43:00.004-05:00

I've been trying for way too long to put a Flickr badge on my eBlog. I'm supposed to copy the code from the Flickr site and paste 'anywhere on my website', but it doesn't paste. I've looked on Flickr Help and got no satisfaction.

I'll work on it again tomorrow.

Flickr

2009-02-01T16:33:00.001-05:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

So Much Snow Out There

2009-01-29T15:44:00.016-05:00

It's been snowing... and snowing... and snowng... in my backyard.
The harsh cold has let up some which make this snowy winter wonderland all the more magical.

Snow piling on, leaving everything blanketed in white fluff. Peaceful...

My best pal, Daisy, dashes out to check things out as I go out to collect the mail. She's a sweetie. ( An Australian Kelpie from the dog pound). Bringing her home with me 9 years ago was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Snow flurrying, visibility reduced, cosy inside, hot tea in hand.

I love the winter and snow and yes even the cold, when I don't have to be out too long in it. ;)

A Little Progress on the Sweet Pea Sacque

2009-01-25T17:39:00.004-05:00

Back panel with flaps complete. Front view.

Back view.

Don't know where the time goes... but am making some progress on Lillian's Sweet Pea sacque.

Bound off the back neck nice and loosely. Pleased with that. Worked the shoulder flaps today. Went nicely.

Feeling my way through things I've not done before. Had to take apart a small section to make a correction while shaping the left shoulder flap.

This pattern calls for a decrease of *purl 2 together, purl 1, BO 1 purlwise, at the end of a knit row. Not seen this before. Was a bit unsure, but plowed ahead and will see the result when the garment is finished.

I like the decreasing and shaping; keeps the project interesting and fun.

This Sweet Pea sacque is all white, and so I'm thinking about how I might dress it up a bit. Maybe I'll find some pretty pink buttons to sew on the front, or maybe a few tiny pompom buttons. Or maybe a blanket stitch around the edges in pink...

Hope to get the front panel done tonight. We'll see. :D Pleased how this project is going. Just wish I would make more time to work on it.

Tweaking my Blog

2009-01-22T11:03:00.012-05:00

Been tweaking my blog and exploring about how to... It can eat up a lot of time.

Visited other blogs today. Babylonglegs at http://babylonglegs.blogspot.com/ new post invites a small competition of guessing how many skeins of yarn in the 'yarn mountain' she has assembled on her kitchen table. A prize of yarn goes to the winner. Babylonglegs is in the UK. Fun contest, but cost of shipping could be dampening.

My tai' chi class last night was frightful. Started with the September session last Fall, was off during the Christmas break, and then missed a class of the new winter session and, and... half way through the form I was lost! lol What an awful feeling. I recovered well by the end of the class with a careful review of all we have learned thus far. Phew! Recovered my dignity. ;) Tai' Chi is calming and surprisingly gives a good, yet gentle, workout. Taking the class was recommended to me by my family physician. I have adrenal fatigue syndrome and this gentle exercise strengthens and relaxes at the same time, and is about what I can handle just now, that and walking. My daughter is taking the class with me, and with her dance background learning the tai' chi moves comes easily to her. I will be meeting with her later today to practice.

Is it already lunch time! :0 Where did the time go!? lol

"SWEET PEA" INFANT SACQUE

2009-01-20T11:04:00.010-05:00

First project knitting in the round. Is interesting and fun after the initial getting use to it period of not switching back and forth on two needles.

This infant sacque was to be a summer practice project leading up to more colourful pieces, as I gained in knitting skills, in anticipation of the births of two grandkids, one in December '08, the second in January '09. I had planned a number of fun knitting projects for these precious grandkids. It's been a long journey since last summer. My daughter lost her baby on Sept. 3, and for tending to that sad event, well knitting took a back seat of things to do. And now, I feel I am in a rush to finish the sacque for little Lillian, who was born on Jan. 11, '09... before she outgrows it! ;) A good friend, Maple, who is not inexperienced in life's troubles and hardships, says, despite all the hardships, "Life is good.", and I think that says it all.

Blessed Day, Blessed Babe!

2009-01-16T08:23:00.005-05:00

New, little grandgirl snuggled in my arms! Is there a greater joy? Introducing the newest addition to our family, our little Lilly (short for Lillian), born January 11, 2009, a healthy 8lbs 8oz. She has unbearably cute chubby cheeks that make me chuckle. I've been rushed off my feet the past few days and will be back soon with more 'proud granny' photos. ;)

All's Well that Begins Well!

2009-01-05T17:52:00.005-05:00

My new year begins with the excited anticipation of a new addition to our family. My second grandchild is due... well, his or her due date is today actually, January 5, 2009! Mom is looking very pregnant and is ready to greet her new baby, at this point sooner rather than later is preferred ; ), and 'big sister', two and a half year old Gwen is trying to figure out what Mommy really means when she says she will be bringing home a baby sister or brother very soon. I'm sure the reality will surpass her wildest imaginings! It will be a wonderful experience helping little Gwen welcome her new sibling, supporting Mom transition to Mother of Two, and of course welcoming the newbie baby into our family. What a wonderful way to begin this New Year!

Wishing all a Happy New Year!

EASY PEASY CARDIGAN LTK

2008-06-14T00:03:00.006-04:00

Knit up the swatch this evening. The gauge is right on. Size US 8 needles/16 sts/32 rows = 4x4" (in garter st).

This is an easy infant cardigan (pattern knits up to 5 yr) for a beginner knitter. So is the claim made. I'll know better when I finish it. : ) I'm using BERNAT DenimStyle yarn, 70% acrylic/30% cotton, worsted weight (4).
100g ball/96 yards.

Colour is indigo - 03108

The pattern (and photos of sweaters above) is from Theresa Belleville at Little Turtle Knits. Cost $8, and delivered online as pdf file.

http://littleturtleknits.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=188&zenid=4833e6778ac3e14174b9df7fda92c57a

The photos of the finished ‘EASY PEASY’ sweaters are from LTK (Little Turtle Knits) web page. Have a look to see more of Theresa Belleville’s patterns. I will be knitting her ‘picky pants’ pattern soon. :)

I would love to knit this little sweater up in the lovely soft alpaca that I have stashed, but gonna do a few more ‘getting my feet wet again’ projects to de-rustify my knit skills first. It really has been that long! ;)

ROYAL BRAND BALL WINDER: Eventually I'll want one of those gorgeous natural wood ones.

2008-06-12T23:34:00.013-04:00

These 2 first balls of yarn were my first try at using the Royal ball winder. I couldn't get the yarn to pull from the center of the ball so I tried them on the winder. It's a bit difficult to manage the yarn skein when winding it onto the ball winder, as the skein rolls and topples etc. Needed to unravel long strands by hand then wound these onto the winder. The effort is worth it. I have 2 great center pulling balls of yarn now which are a joy to knit with.

This is an acrylic yarn for knitting small practice projects... an infant hat, a toddler scarf, etc, while I wait for ordered yarn to come in so that I can get started on a few planned projects... baby sweaters and hats. This yarn works up nicely, though. I like this colourway.

LOVE the 'yarn cakes' the Royal wound up for me.

Look What Came In The Mail on Friday, May 30th!

2008-06-01T18:41:00.021-04:00

My BEKA yarn swift (skeiner) and a ROYAL yarn ball winder are here! I figured I needed them after the time I got myself into an intricate tangle when unwinding a skein of yarn. Live and learn, eh...

The BEKA swift is simply designed and is quick and easy to assemble. Quick and easy in theory... When I screwed the center pillar onto the base of my swift, it leaned very much like the leaning tower of Pisa! Thanks to my hubby's handy work, the problem got straightened out. I can't say if this is a common problem with the BEKA swift.

The instructions say that it does not require clamping to a table, so may be used anywhere. Note, however, that the ROYAL ball winder does clamp to a table, so the 'anywhere' is limited.

I haven't tried out the ROYAL yarn ball winder yet.

The BEKA swift comes with easy to assemble parts. The base comes already assembled.
Here it is face down. There are ball bearings between the metal layers on the underside which allow it to spin smoothly.

It has visually interesting geometrics. Pleasant to look at.

This photo shows the small rubber feet that are glued on to the bottom of each leg of the base, one inch from the end.

Next the two long bars are fitted together and placed on the base face up.

Then the center pillar is screw through the openings of the two long bars all the way through to the base and tightened.

Here the two long bars and the center pillar are secured onto the base.

This photo takes a peek between the two metal layers of the underside of the base, showing the ball bearings that allow the swift to spin smoothly.

Next, the two short bars are joined together and placed at the top of the center pillar of the swift.

Then the metal ring (washer) and wooden knob are screwed into place atop the swift and tightened.

Lastly, each of the four dowels are placed into position, with one end placed in the hole at the end of the long bar (bottom cross piece) and sliding the other end into a notch in the corresponding short bar (top cross piece).

This swift can accommodate a range of yarn and skein sizes. The yarn is placed over the top of the swift, allowing it to settle into place. For very small skeins, one dowel can be removed so the yarn may be draped onto the swift without stretching it.

It really does spin very smoothly and fast. I haven't had time to wind a ball of yarn from the swift onto the ROYAL ball winder, yet.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE: (from the instruction sheet included with the skein)

Untie and remove threads holding the skein of yarn together, so you can unwind yarn smoothly into a ball. Position the yarn so and "end" is on the outside, grasping and rolling the skein as needed to "wind off" from the outside of the skein. If your skein begins to slide during use, your yarn probably needs to be re-oriented to avoid tangles. (Hmm, those dreaded yarn tangles again.)

CO 57 Stitches Again...

2008-05-31T10:01:00.004-04:00

Made my second attempt with the Eyelet Preemie Hat last night, casting on, ribbing, eyelet row, and 3/4" of stocking stitch. I have the decreases and finishing off left to do.

Whilst I had some difficulty with the cast on with the first hat, having to do it over several times, this time I got it on the first cast on. And then knit straight through to the end of St st smoothly. Learning how to handling this yarn.

Second time's a charm! : )

2008-05-29T17:04:00.004-04:00

Preemie hat is finished, except for the ribbon that will be laced through the eyelets. Need to go buy some ribbon.

It's a quick and easy project for starters. I did my first increases, decreases and yarn overs in years. Need more practice to develop muscle memory, but these stitches are not difficult.

I prefer working with a heavier weight yarn, and a natural one. This Paton's Beehive Baby Sport yarn has a nice sheen, and the Vintage Lace colour is subtle, but... casting on was a bugger! Had to undo and re-cast several time to get an even cast-0n row. And the yarn plies split easily when working it. Once the cast-on row and the next two rows are on the needle the yarn works well enough.

There, I got photos up on my blog! : ) And it was interesting trying to work out how to get decent shots. When it comes down to it, you gotta just click and upload. Fussing about takes up too much time!

2008-05-29T16:41:00.002-04:00

This is 'sans' ribbon laced through the eyelets. This hat is so tiny!

PROJECT 1: More Pics of Preemie Hat 3

2008-05-29T15:56:00.002-04:00

Mastering getting photos uploaded to blog. : )

PROJECT 1: More Pics of Preemie Hat

2008-05-29T15:46:00.002-04:00

Top view. Decreases don't line up. Oops! :-)

PROJECT 1: More Pics of Preemie Hat

2008-05-29T15:30:00.003-04:00

The decrease line does not match up. I really like the look of the spiral lines of the decreases at the top of a knit hat.

PROJECT 1: More Pics of Preemie Hat

2008-05-29T15:05:00.003-04:00

The eyelets show well here. Easy to make up! Encouraging for the lacy work I want to do down the road.

2008-05-29T14:13:00.007-04:00

Two Years Old Already!

2008-05-28T14:39:00.005-04:00

My little grandgirl is two years old today. Already!

She talks up a storm, and is in constant movement, exploring everything in sight. She is bright and beautiful. A pure joy to her Grandma! She gets up in the morning so full of life and joy that she hops, hops, hops all the way to the breakfast table, singing out, "JUMPING, JUMPING, JUMPING"! LOL And this is as I hobble along behind her, trying to rub the sleep from my eyes. We had an overnightter last Sunday and Grandma had as much fun babysitting Gwen as Gwen had hanging out with Grandma.

What a treasure.

So, here's a loving "HAPPY BIRTHDAY", Gwen, my beautiful two year old grandgirl.

And yes... I am getting to those lovely knitting projects I'll be knitting up for you. And for your little sibling and little cousin, too, both of whom are expected by the end of this year. I've definitely got my knit work cut out for me.

Tinkering With the Bloggie Thing

2008-05-28T13:07:00.003-04:00

Well that just ate up a lot of time!

Tinkering with my blog, trying to get to how I want it to look and all. Doesn't leave so much time for knitting today. Getting the bugs worked out. Some bugs don't want to get worked out, so I'm leaving them! lol

Stopping with the bloggie thingie for now and off to work on my preemie hat. Yesterday, dropped a stitch, lost a bunch of stitches, so frogged it and today will cast on all over again. 57 stiches, here I come! ;)

Good Blogging Day Yesterday

2008-05-28T00:08:00.014-04:00

Good start. Learned how to add content and customize my blog. It's shaping up!

Next, I'll add some photos...

And What's on Your Needles Today?

2008-05-27T14:01:00.029-04:00

And if you care to share... what's clicking on your needles today?

On My Needles Today...

2008-05-27T13:45:00.033-04:00

A simple preemie hat (one expected grandbaby may arrive before due date).

I am collecting lots of fun hat patterns in all sizes. Starting with the smallest first to refresh my skill at knitting up hats. Look forward to having on my needles hats of all sorts: fun styles, shapes, colours and patterns in sizes infant to adult!

Infant and toddler items are high and first on my list of projects, for sure, but I am eager to knit up socks, mittens, scarves, shawls, sweaters, throws and afghans too.

Would love to hear about your beginnings as a knitter...

My Beginning Blogging

2008-05-27T13:29:00.037-04:00

Blogging my beginning... Here I will follow my progress in becoming a knitter... an experience knitter. I did knit up baby hats, sweaters, and blankies when my kids were wee. Now that are grown I will knit up for their wee ones.

And I will knit for the love of the craft.

I've recently finished off a practice scarf that went well. Was wonderful to return to the relaxing rhythm of the working needles and feeling the resulting knitted fabric increasing on my lap.

That's it, the awful beginning is over! My blogging feet are wet now and so... on to knitting!